Machine for pitching barrels



No. 6l7,l85. Patented 1an. 3, |899.

E. BAU. MAcHlNE FUR PHCHING BARBELS. (Application filed July 1, 189B.)

3 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

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No. 67,|85. Patented Jan. 3, |899.

E. BAU.

MACHINE FOR PITCHI'NG BARRELS.

(Application iled July 1, 1898,v (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Patented Jan. 3, I899 ml-um n ll llllmllllllllllll'llllil |l|| llllllllllllll" E. BAU. I MACHINE FR PITCHING BABRELS.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES lUNirt rares EMANUEL RAU, OF NEV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HARRY TOROHIANI, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR PITCHING BARRELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,185, dated January 3, 1899.

Application iiled July 1, 1898. Serial No. 684,922. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMANUEL RAU, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the borough of Manhattan and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Pitching Barrels, of which the following is a specication.

This invention has reference to certain imto provements in the machines for pitching barrels for which Letters Patent of the United States were granted heretofore to Maximilian Guethler, No. 573,818, dated December 22, 1896, whereby said machine is rendered more x5 reliable and effective in operation and brought more fully within the control of the attendant; and the invention consists of a machine for pitching barrels which comprises a kettle, means for heating the same, a reszo ervoir suspended within said kettle, a valve t for supplying melted pitch from the kettle to the reservoir, a pipe for supplying compressed air to said reservoir, avalve for opening or closing said compressed-air pipe, and

z 5 means for simultaneously operating the pitchsupply valve and the compressed-air valve.

The invention consists, further, of the connection, with the valve for receiving melted pitch from the kettle surrounding the same,

3o of a discharge-pipe leading from the tank into the keg or barrel to be pitched, said pipe being supported in suitable bearings and provided with wings or blades at its lower end and with openings, so as to rotate the dis- 3 5 charge-pipe while forcing the melted pitch through the same.

The invention consists, further, of certain details of construction 'and combinations of parts, which will be fully described hereinaf- .io ter, and iinally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a plan view of my improved machine for pitching barrels. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the same on line 2 2, Fig.

4.5 l. Fig. 3 isa vertical longitudinal section on line 3 3, Fig. l. Fig. L is also a vertical longitudinal section of the machine on line l at, Fig. l, drawn on a larger scale. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on line 5, Fig. Ll. Fig. 6 is 5o a detail horizontal section on line 6b 6b, Fig. et, drawn on a still larger scale and showing the relative position of the air-valves of the compressed-air pipes and the pitch-supply valve in their positions of rest; and Figs. 6a .and

6b are diagrams showing the positions of the 55 pitch-supply valve and air-valves when alternately pitching barrels on opposite sides of the machine.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. 6o

Referring to the drawings, A represents a kettle for melting pitch, which kettle is supported in a suitable furnace,by which the same is heated. The furnace B may be of any approvedconstruction. Thekett-leAis provided with a cover A', on which are arranged two or more supports O for the kegs or barrels to be pitched. Within the kettle is suspended by suitable bracket-hangers d d a closed tank or reservoir D, which is divided by a central par- 7o tition D into two compartments D2, so that one barrel at a time can be supplied with pitch from each of the compartments.

In the drawings the pitching-machine is constructed for pitching two barrels; but it is obvious that it can also be arranged for pitching four or more barrels, in which case the reservoir is divided by an additional partition at right angles to the partition D into four compartments D2. The apparatus may 8o also be used for pitching a single keg,in which case a reservoir with a single compartment is used. NVithin the reservoir D is arranged an upright valve-cylinder E, which is provided with openings c at its lower part, one for each compartment D2. The cylinder E is closed at its upper end and open at its lower end and attached to the bottom of the reservoir D. In the cylinder E is arranged a hollow valve E, which isprovided with a 9o stem or spindle E2, that extends through a stuffing-box h on the cover. The hollow valve E is provided with .an opening e', which registers with one of the openings c of the cylinder E, according as the valve is turned on its axis in one or the opposite direction. The hollow valve E is connected at its lower open end with a supply-pipe E3 for the melted pitch, which is supported by straps c3 on the bottom of the reservoir D and provided at roo its upwardly-bent portion with a strainer E4, so that no coarse impurities can enter withY the melted pitch through the supply-pipe E3 to the reservoir D.

My improved pitching-machine is operated by the medium of compressed air, by which a suitable quantity of the hot pitch, which has been permitted to enter into one of the compartments D2, is forced from the same into the keg or barrel which is to be coated with pitch at its inner surface. For this purpose a compressed-air pipe F is connected with the top of each compartment D2, the compressed-air pipe being formed of a horizontal portion that is' connected with a tank containing compressed air and with vertical portions F', which pass through the cover A'. In the vertical portion of each compressedair pipe F' is arranged a hollow air-valve f, having a port f', by which the compressedair pipe can be placed in connection with the compartment D2. The air-valve f is made in the natu re of a three-way val ve-that is to say, its port f' can be placed either in communication with the compressed-air pipe F or with either one of two air-outlets f2 fon the casing of the air-valve f. Vhen the air-valve f is in communication with the compressed-air pipe, the compressed air is conducted into the compartm ent D2 after the same has been filled with melted pitch, while in the other position the compartment D2 is connected with one of the air-outlets f2 or f3, so that the compressed air in the same can pass to the outside and atmospheric pressure be established at the interior of ythe compartment D2. The spindle of the air-valve f is provided with a gearwheel g, which meshes with a gear-wheel g on the stem or spindle F2 of the valve E E', by which the melted pitch is supplied to the compartments D2. To the upper end of the stem or spindle E2 is applied a handle H. When the handle H is turned in either direction, the pitch supply valve and the airvalves are simultaneously turned so as to be placed into the proper positions for supplying pitch and then compressed air to each compartment. The lower part of each compartment D2 is connected by a short pipe go with a cylindrical casing G', which is provided with a suitable step-bearing for the lower end of a discharge-pipe G, that is adapted to turn in a stuffing-box at the upper part of the casing G/ and in a neck-bearing in the cover A. The discharge-pipe G extends to a sufficient height above the cover A so as to bring the perforated nozzle g at its end in such a position in the barrel, placed on the support C, that the melted pitch is distributed uniformly in different directions in the barrel. The lower end of the discharge-pipe G is provided with wings or paddles g2, which form a kind of propeller wheel, and with openings g3, through which the pitch is forced into the discharge pipe while the same is rotated. The pressure of the melted pitch on the paddles in its passage to the openings of the discharge-pipe is sufficient to produce the rotal tion of the same. By the rotation of the discharge-pipe G the pitch is distributed in a more effective manner on the interior of the barrel, so that thereby the pitching operation is accomplished in a better and quicker manner. The surplus pitch is returned through the bung-hole of the barrel onto the cover within the support C and is then conducted back into the kettle through openings o in the cover of the same, as shown in Fig. l.

The products of combustion from the fuel burned in the furnace are conducted through a suitable smoke-stack -to the atmosphere, while the vapors formed in the pitch-kettle are conducted olf through a suitable pipe, as shown in Figs. l and 3.

My improved pitching-machine is operated as follows: The pitch is charged into the kettle through an opening and hinged lid A2 of the cover A. After thepitch is melted a barrel is placed on each of the supports on the cover of the kettle. The operating-handle His then in a position of rest-that is to say, in a position intermediately between the two airvalves, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 6. The compressed-air pipes are by their air-valves shut off from the compartments D2,while the ports f' are in register with the outlets f2, so that both compartments are under atmospheric pressure. In this position of the airvalves the pitch-supply valve E is placed with its opening c intermediately between the inlet-openings e of the valve-cylinder E, so that both compartments are shut off from the kettle and no pitch can pass into either of them. This is the position of the valves when the machine is not in use. When the machine is to be used for pitching, the handle H is turned over to one side-say toward the right-so that the port of the left-hand air-valve is placed in communication with the outlet f2, the opening in the pitch-supply valve E in communication with the left-hand compartment D2, and the port of the righthand air-valve connected with the compressedair pipe, as shown in Fig. 6b. In this position of the valves the pitch in the right-hand compartment is discharged into the barrel to be pitched, while the left-hand compartment is simultaneously filled with pitch under atmospheric pressure. The handle His then turned over to the left, so as to be above the left-hand air-valvef. This, motion brings the right-hand air-valve and its compartments D2 in communication with the atmosphere, the pitch-supply valve in com munication with the right-hand compartment D2, so that the latter can be lled with pitch from the kettle, and the left-hand air-valve in communication with the compressed-air pipe F, as shown in Fig. 6, so that compressed air is supplied to the left-hand compartment and the melted pitch in the same forced through its dischargepipe into thebarrel on the support C. The handle H is then turned over the right-hand y air-valve,which motion places the valves back into theposition shown in Fig. 6b, so that the compressed air in the left-hand compartment can be discharged while it is filling with melted pitch, while the melted pitch in the right-hand compartment is discharged into the barrel above the same. As soon as a barrel is pitched it is removed and a new one placed on the support. During the pitching operation the handle is always over the barrel that is pitched, which cannot be removed while the pitching action takes place, so that there is no possible chance of accident by hot pitch, for the reason that as soon as the handle is turned into the other position away from the barrel the discharge of pitch is immediately discontinued and transferred to the opposite discharge-pipe and the barrel on the same, over which the handle has been placed. When the pitching of one barrel takes place, the melted pitch flows into the compartment from which the compressed air has been shut oif and which is then under atmospheric pressure, and so on alternately until all the barrels are pitched. By the arrangement of two three-way air-valves,which are jointly operated with the pitch-supply valve, the pitchsupply valve and the air-valves are always placed in the required position without any possibility of mistake by the attendant.

My improved pitchingmachine has the advantage that the valves are under positive control, so that the alternate filling of the compartments with melted pitch and the discharge of the same by the pressure of compressed air on the same are produced. By the position of a single handle the attendant controls the regular and positive operation of the valves for the melted pitch and compressed air. As the compartments are connected with the atmosphere before being filled with pitch, the quick and reliable lling of the compartments from the kettle and the discharging of the pitch from the same into the barrels take place, while by the submerging of the compartments in the melted pitch the pitch is always kept in easily-flowing liquid condition and supplied to the barrels in this condition with but little loss of heat.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. The combination,with a pitch-kettle and means for heating the same, of a reservoir or tank submerged in the melted pitch in the kettle, a pipe for supplying the melted pitch from the kettle to said reservoir, a Valve in said pitch-supply pipe, a compressed-air pipe leading into said reservoir, a three-Way valve in said compressed-air pipe, a discharge-pipe, and means for positively operating the pitchsupply valve and the three-Way valve so as to supply the reservoir with melted pitch, discharge the same, and reestablish atmospheric pressure in the reservoir, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a pitch-kettle and means for heating the same, of a reservoir or tank submerged in the melted pitch in the kettle, a pipe for supplying melted pitch from the kettle to said reservoir, a valve in said pitch-supply pipe, a spindle for operating said valve, a compressed-air pipe leading into said reservoir, a three-way valve in said compressed-air pipe, a discharge-pipe, and means for simultaneously operating the spindle of the pitch-supply valve and the three-way valve so as to supply the reservoir with melted pitch, discharge the same, and reestablish atmospheric pressure in the reservoir, substantially as set forth.

S. The combination,with a pitch-kettle and means for heating the same, of a closed reservoir submerged in the melted pitch in the kettle, a central partition in said reservoir dividing it into two compartments, a pitchsupply pipe connecting the reservoir with the kettle, a valve in said supply-pipe,`a compressed-air pipe leading to each compartment, a three-way valve in each compressedair pipe, and means for simultaneously turning the three-way valves with the pitch-supply valve, so that either compartment can be alternately placed ih communication with the pitch-kettle, compressed-air pipe or the atmosphere, substantially as set forth.

li. The combination, with the pitch-kettle and means for heating the same, of a reservoir submerged in the melted pitch in the kettle, valved pipes for supplying alternately melted pitch or compressed air respectively, to said reservoir, a discharge-pipe for said reservoir, and means for rotating said discharge-pipe While forcing the melted pitch IOO through the same, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination,with a pitch-kettle and means for heating the same, of a reservoir submerged in the melted pitch in said kettle, valved pipes for supplying alternately melted pitch or compressed air to said reservoir, a discharge-pipe for said reservoir, a casing for the lower end of said discharge-pipe, step and neck bearings for said discharge-pipe, and propeller-wings and openings on the lower part of the discharge-pipe within said casing, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that `I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EMANUEL RAU. lVitn esses:

PAUL GOEPEL, M. II. WURTZEL. 

